Irene Gamble's Obituary
Irene Gamble, affectionally known as Rene,77 of Albion peacefully made her transition from this earthly body to her heavenly home on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at home with her loving daughter and granddaughter by her bedside. Irene was born on December 2, 1943 to the late Elijah Evans, Sr., and Iree (Spicer) Evans-Byrd. In 1950, the family relocated to Albion, Michigan. Irene was one of nine children from their union. Irene accepted Christ at a young age. She attended Albion Public Schools. In the eighth grade she dropped out of school, she later returned to school and graduated from Albion Senior High in 1973. In 1970, she attended cosmetology school in Battle Creek, Michigan. Although, she enjoyed doing hair, she made a decision to change her focus from cosmetology to barber. She went to Universal Barber College in Detroit, Michigan and graduated in 1971 as a Master Barber. Once graduated Irene made a choice to work with her Aunt Julia Patterson-Blair at the Patterson House of Styles in Albion, Michigan for the next 20 years.
Irene was a very faithful member of Bethel Baptist Missionary Church in Albion, Michigan. She belonged to the Senior, Inspiration, and Fifth Sunday Fellowship Choirs. She had an Inmate ministry with over 30 men and women that are currently incarcerated whom she would send cards of encouragement and inspiring messages. Irene worked at Sheldon Memorial Hospital, Corning Glass Company, McGraw Edison, Starr Commonwealth, and Patterson House of Styles before becoming the owner of Irene’s Superior Unisex Salon. In 1991, she officially opened the doors to Irene’s Superior Unisex Salon in Albion’s downtown business district. She serviced the Albion community for 50 years. Irene enjoyed cooking, attending church, singing in the choir and being around family. She loved to bowl, read the bible, listen to gospel music, tend to her flower gardens, walk/jog around the track at the high school, travel, visit the sick and shut-in, and provide services to her many customers.
Irene leaves to cherish her precious and loving memories, her son, Eric T. Gamble of Battle Creek, Michigan; daughter, Phyllis Y. Gamble of Albion, Michigan and son, Henry Dion (Monica) Gamble-Rowe of Fresno, California. Granddaughters, Caresha K. Kendrick and LaVishia McDonald of Albion, Michigan; Precious Griggs, Teayanna Griggs, Kyla Gutierrez and Dionsjana Fuller of Fresno, California. Grandsons, Dion Newton of San Diego, California and Anthony Rowe of Fresno, California. Three sisters, Paralee Bowman, Gladys (Dennis, Sr.) Reid of Albion, Michigan; and Robbie Evans of Atlanta, Georgia, Two brothers, Elijah (Joyce) Evans, Jr. of Lansing, Michigan, and Tommy Evans of Albion, Michigan. Goddaughters LaSonia (James) Robbins of Macomb, Michigan; Tina Patterson-Blair, Skyler Tillman, and Jernique Hopson-Bigham of Albion, Michigan., Godsons, Sebastin Tillman and Mayjor Deanda of Albion, Michigan. Five sister- in-laws, Carrie Evans, of Battle Creek, Michigan, Paula Evans of Jackson, Michigan, Tonya Evans-Wilder of Canton, Ohio., Mary Gamble of Jackson, Michigan and Lurener Harris of Albion, Michigan. One brother-in-law Robert Hopson of Albion, Michigan. Aunts, Florence Wallace, Lula (Henderson) Harris and Geneva Coney of Albion, Michigan, Louise Miller of Grand Rapids, Michigan., and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and customers. My favorite cousin Gloree (Millard) Coleman of Farmington Hills, Michigan, Special cousin Shatari Gamble of Marshall, Michigan, sister Willie Ann Miller, of Albion, Michigan.
Irene was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Henry B. Gamble; father, Elijah Evans Sr.; mother Iree (Spicer) Evans-Byrd. Three brothers, Stanley Evans, Rev. Willie Ed Evans Sr., and Robert Earl Evans. Two sisters Leora Hopson and Eva Mae (Shug) Evans-Jones. God Mother Gloria Ann Francis. Without any doubt Irene will truly be missed by all who knew and loved her.
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